Will Manny postpone Israel trip?

LAS VEGAS - The unexpected loss to Timothy Bradley Jr. may disrupt plans for Manny Pacquiao to take a holy trip to Israel before returning home to the Philippines.

According to Pacquiao’s adviser Michael Koncz, the fighter is committed to seven days of filming a Hollywood movie directed by two-time Emmy award winner Eric Geisler. The movie is entitled “Brass Knuckles” and Pacquiao will portray a gangster’s role. Fil-Am actor Rob Schneider will appear as his uncle.

Koncz said he hasn’t booked tickets to Israel. With Pacquiao’s increasing religiosity, it was suggested for him to visit the Holy Land and trace Jesus Christ’s footsteps from birth to death. A source said the trip could take two weeks and only after the visit to Israel will he fly back to the country.

Pacquiao has embraced the Lord totally in a reawakening that began about six months ago. He realized the importance of keeping God close to his heart after a spat with his wife Jinkee during the run-up to the Juan Manuel Marquez fight last November. Pacquiao was distraught and disturbed by the family problem. After reconciling with his wife, he turned to the Lord for a more complete transformation.

Pacquiao has immersed himself in serious Bible study at least two hours a day. He is now fluent in quoting verses and his influence has strengthened the Christian beliefs of his family and entourage. His daughter Princess even quoted verses from the Bible at the end of the Holy Mass celebrated by Catholic priest Fr. Marlon Beof at the Mandalay Bay Arena the morning of the Bradley fight.

Because Pacquiao was born and raised a Catholic, there appears to be some confusion in his mind as his spiritual adviser is an evangelical Christian. Fr. Beof, who is based in Temecula, California, welcomed Pacquiao’s transformation as a blessing from God. He has celebrated Holy Mass for Pacquiao, his family and supporters before and after a fight in the US for years.

“We pray for Manny’s further enlightenment,” said Fr. Beof. “There are traditions practiced in the Church which are part of the Divine Revelation and as Catholics, we believe in these traditions as a matter of faith. No doubt, we are all sinners but God is a forgiving God because He loves us unconditionally. The Bible teaches us a way of life that will bring us close to the Lord.”

A source said Pacquiao’s dedication to Bible study may cause some mental fatigue because his mind is completely focused on the Word of God. “Manny is a very intelligent person and he internalizes what he reads and interprets,” said the source. “He remains a Catholic and a true Christian.”

An evangelical Christian pastor Jeric Soriano, son of the late movie actor Nestor de Villa, has assumed the role of Pacquiao’s spiritual adviser. “The dialogue on the Bradley fight has shifted from left hooks and straight rights and everybody is engaged in religious dialogue and this is resonating with the evangelical Christian community,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum, quoted by Bob Velin of USA Today.

The other night, Pacquiao sat down with an old-time supporter Lito Mondejar and preached the wonders of walking the straight path, guided by the Word of God. In keeping with his Catholic belief, Pacquiao was faithful to a nine-day rosary novena up to the night before the fight.

“I’ve been with Manny for eight years so I know the old Manny and the new Manny,” said Koncz, quoted by Velin. “And I’m very pleased with the new Manny, speficially for the reason that he seems to be more at peace and content with himself and has devoted much more time with his wife and family, especially the kids.”

Velin said Pacquiao has made good on his promise to God that he would turn a new leaf, rejecting vices such as late night getaways, excessive drinking, womanizing and indulging in things that were family-unfriendly. Fr. Beof said Pacquiao should not be discouraged by Catholics or Christians who fall by the wayside. “We are all sinners,” said Fr. Beof. “What is important is we rise from a fall stronger in our faith and love of God.”